Congressman weighs in on Hattiesburg federal investigations

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate recent Hattiesburg federal investigation he alleged are racially and politically motivated.

In his letter, Rep. Thompson asks U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to "directly investigate organized targeting of the African-American community in the form of prosecutions and other intimidation methods in furtherance of a local political agenda."

"All of the complaints that I have received stem from the 2013 municipal elections in the City of Hattiesburg," Thompson said. "This particular mayoral election was bitterly fought and was divided, chiefly, along racial lines as many elections are in Mississippi. At the very least, this is a case of overreaching by local, state and federal officials as a way of punishing political enemies. At its worst, this is a case of concerted action by many federal and state officials. to target and manipulate the actions of African-Americans in Hattiesburg, Mississippi."

Mississippi State Auditor Stacey Pickering said he is confident in state and federal investigators and said he thinks the validity will be proven in court.

"I am confident in the professionalism and the work that is done by our investigators at the state level as well as our federal counterparts, not only on these specific cases, but all the cases we've worked together across the state of Mississippi," Pickering said. "I think when we have our day in court, we'll be proven to have been good stewards of the taxpayers time, money, resources and the charge that we've been given as law enforcement officers to protect and defend the reputation, the integrity and uphold the laws of the state of Mississippi and the United States of America."

Thompson sent the letter to the Department of Justice in April, but just received a response in August from U.S. Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik saying the allegations are under review by the Office of Professional Responsibility and Office of the Inspector General.

A Hub City minister is reacting to the death of the Rev. Billy Graham, the most widely-heard Christian evangelist in history. He died Wednesday morning at his home in Montreat, North Carolina at the age of 99. Pastor Jeff Clark of Hattiesburg's Venture Church said Graham was a humble man of integrity who would be missed. "Billy Graham is who all of us wanted to be like," said Clark, who once saw Graham in person while he was a seminary student in Dallas ...

A Hub City minister is reacting to the death of the Rev. Billy Graham, the most widely-heard Christian evangelist in history. He died Wednesday morning at his home in Montreat, North Carolina at the age of 99. Pastor Jeff Clark of Hattiesburg's Venture Church said Graham was a humble man of integrity who would be missed. "Billy Graham is who all of us wanted to be like," said Clark, who once saw Graham in person while he was a seminary student in Dallas ...

A new documentary about Hattiesburg civil rights pioneer Clyde Kennard premiered at the Lake Terrance Convention Center Wednesday night. "Measure of Progress: The Clyde Kennard Story" documents Kennard's attempts at enrolling at the University of Southern Mississippi in the 1950's when it was a segregated Mississippi Southern College. He was turned down several times and ultimately was sent to prison on trumped up charges. He died of cancer after be...

A new documentary about Hattiesburg civil rights pioneer Clyde Kennard premiered at the Lake Terrance Convention Center Wednesday night. "Measure of Progress: The Clyde Kennard Story" documents Kennard's attempts at enrolling at the University of Southern Mississippi in the 1950's when it was a segregated Mississippi Southern College. He was turned down several times and ultimately was sent to prison on trumped up charges. He died of cancer after be...

The City of Laurel is planning a $5 million water and sewer project to improve aging infrastructure. (Photo source: WDAM)

The City of Laurel undergoing a $5 million water and sewer project. WDAM looked at what's happening. Mayor Johnny Magee said, "The problem is Laurel is over 100 years old and the water and sewer lines are about the same age." Caving in and sprouting leaks, Mayor Johnny Magee said it's time for an infrastructure revamp in the city. Magee said, "We are going to redo the water and sewer lines all the way from the flagpole on Central Avenue about two and a half mil...

The City of Laurel undergoing a $5 million water and sewer project. WDAM looked at what's happening. Mayor Johnny Magee said, "The problem is Laurel is over 100 years old and the water and sewer lines are about the same age." Caving in and sprouting leaks, Mayor Johnny Magee said it's time for an infrastructure revamp in the city. Magee said, "We are going to redo the water and sewer lines all the way from the flagpole on Central Avenue about two and a half mil...

New Orleans police said Johnny Gatlin came into NOPD Police station with his missing flyer in hand and in good health. (Photo source: NOPD)

A Hattiesburg man reported missing after visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras has been found safe. New Orleans police said Johnny Gatlin, 57, came into NOPD Police station with his missing flyer in hand and in good health. His family picked him up in New Orleans. Copyright WDAM 2018. All rights reserved. More >>

A Hattiesburg man reported missing after visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras has been found safe. New Orleans police said Johnny Gatlin, 57, came into NOPD Police station with his missing flyer in hand and in good health. His family picked him up in New Orleans. Copyright WDAM 2018. All rights reserved. More >>